Bahrain is quite a cultural Kingdom and there are a few museums and many art galleries to explore on your weekends off.
27 August 2013
| Last updated on 24 May 2018Visiting the cultural museums on offer in Bahrain can be a great way to enjoy your weekends off work. It is a fun alternative to dinner and a movie if your are out with your other half. It is also great for friends who are interested in the arts and culture to explore and experience some local artwork. so next time you are stuck for a weekend plan take a step in the arty direction and visit one of these great places.
Museums
Bahrain National Museum
One of the first museums in the Gulf, the Bahrain National Museum opened in 1988.
The rich collection covers 6000 years of Bahrain’s history.
Manama
Visiting hours: Daily, 8am - 8pm
Tel: +971 17 298 718 or +971 17 298 714
Website: www.moc.gov.bh/en/top10/Name,7524,en.html
Beit Al Quran
Beit Al Qur'an is a multi-purpose complex dedicated to the Islamic arts and is located in Hoora, Bahrain.
Established in 1990, the complex is most famous for its Islamic museum, which has been acknowledged as being one of the most renowned Islamic museums in the world.
Visiting Hours: Sat - Wed: 9am - 12pm and 4pm - 6pm
Tel: +973 1729 0101
Website: www.moc.gov.bh/en/top10/Name,7534,en.html
Oil Museum and the First Oil Well
As the name suggests, this is the first oil production well in the Arabian Gulf and is located in Bahrain. The museum showcases the history of the oil industry in Bahrain for over a century. The Oil Museum houses some fascinating exhibits, including drilling equipment, documents, old photographs and a working model of an oil rig.
Closed July and August
Visiting Hours: Fri & Sat 10am-5pm
Tel: +973 17 573 257
Museum of Pearl Diving
The Museum of Pearl Diving's building is regarded as one of the most important and historic buildings in Bahrain. Its importance derives from being the first official location of the Bahrain Courts prior to becoming museum.
Visiting Hours: Sat-Wed 8am-12pm; Thu 9am-6pm
Tel: +973 17 210 600
Currency Museum
The museum displays a comprehensive collection of the currency used in Bahrain from the beginning of Islam until modern times. The collection is priceless and includes some very rare coins. The museum is located on the Bahrain Central Bank premises.
Visiting Hours: Sun-Thu 8am-2pm
Tel: +973 17 292 977
Rashid Al Oraifi Museum
This museum is an adaptive re-use of the Al Oraifi family's private residence where artwork, inspired by the Dilmun culture and history by one of Bahrain’s most talented artists, Rashid Al Oraifi, is on display.
Visiting Hours: Sun-Thu 8am-2pm and 4pm-8pm
Tel: +973 17 335 616/535 112
Art Galleries
Albareh Art Gallery
Albareh Art Gallery was established in 1998 with the main goals of celebrating the diversity of talent prevalent in the visual arts in Bahrain and becoming a center of excellence in dynamic artistic expression across the Kingdom and beyond.
Adliya
Tel: +973 1771 7707
Website: www.albareh.com
ARTDIVANO
Art To Go - Luxury Art and Arty Accessories and yet affordable available at ARTDIVANO concept gallery and art boutique located at Al Andalus Garden Bahrain. Our collection includes originals, art prints, arty silk shawl and jewelry. We also offer art consultancy for corporate and private clients.
Address: Al Andalus Garden, Unit 151, Road 327, Manama 308, Kingdom of Bahrain
Tel: +973 3921 2060
Website: www.artdivano.com
Al Riwaq Gallery
Al-Riwaq Art Space is a leading non-profit arts organization dedicated to promoting contemporary art and design practices in Bahrain. With its strong emphasis on public art and community engagement, al-Riwaq Art Space acts as major local hub for the Bahraini public, promoting creativity and artistic expression especially among the youth.
Tel: +973 17 717 441
Website: www.alriwaqgallery.org
Nadine Gallery
Nadine Gallery is a fine art gallery dedicated to the promotion of national and international artists, providing quality and original art to established and emerging collectors.
Tel: +973 17826456
Website: www.nadinegallery.com
Ella Art Gallery
We do customize paintings for, Interior designers, Hotels, and co-operate companies. Ella art gallery has been established in 2004. We deal in Fine & Abstract Signature art.
Adliya
Tel: +973 17 292 815
Website: www.ellagallery.com
Arabesque Gallery
Recognised as the main outlet in the Gulf Region for Antique Art of the Middle East, particularly specialising in David Roberts 19th Century Lithographs, old maps of Arabia and the chromolithographs of Prisse D'Avennes.
Seef
Tel: +973 17 720 859
Website: www.arabesque-gallery.com
Art Gate Gallery
Manama
+973 17535592
Barshar Art Gallery
Basher art Gallery specialises in Bahraini traditional art including paintings, stained glass, frames and etchings by local artists.
Manama
Tel: +973 17 727 326
Globart Gallery
This gallery might be in a mall but when you step inside you are transported to a place far beyond. There are grand paintings, and for those with a budget there is a fantastic array of posters.
Marina Mall, Manama
Tel: +973 17 233 320
L’Atelier Art Lounge
Country Mall,
Budaiya,
Tel: +973 17 599 030
The Gallery at Taib Tower
The Gallery at TAIB Tower is a one-of-a-kind art venue that showcases the work of new and established local artists, and occasionally those from outside the region.
Manama
+973 17 549 454
Website: www.taib.com/art_gallery_home.cfm